Opening date confirmed for Guildenacre

The opening date for a new woodland adventure playground in Suffolk has been revealed.

Guildenacre, an immersive play experience woven within a four-acre wood in the grounds of Helmingham Estate, will be welcoming visitors for its first weekend on Saturday, June 27. 

Featuring four themed areas, which have been designed and created by playground designers CAP.CO (Creating Adventurous Places), Guildenacre is a major addition to the visitor offering at the Helmingham Estate.

Encouraging children of all ages to embark on a magical adventure into nature, each of the playground areas is themed around one of the guardian animals, including a badger, fox,  owl and stag, and their habitats.

Edward Tollemache, custodian of Helmingham and co-founder of Guildenacre with his wife Sophie, said: “We host a number of popular family-orientated events throughout the year, including our sell-out Illuminated Garden Trail at Christmas, so to be able to expand this even further with a permanent immersive experience is an exciting new step for us. 

“We were keen for our next venture to be centred around nature and the great outdoors and this impressive play experience, which has been carefully entwined within natural woodland,  is exactly what we were hoping for, and more.

“All of us at Helmingham can’t wait to welcome visitors to Guildenacre and see their enjoyment as they create family memories together. It’s going to be a momentous occasion for  everyone involved.”

The largest of the Guildenacre structures is The Elderglade featuring climbing walls, tunnels, ladders, multi-level walkways, bridges and several impressive slides to race down. 

Eira the Owl’s Canopy Keep is woven high up into the trees and Flint’s Hollow, home to Flint the Badger, features burrows and tunnels. Over at Vex the Vixen’s Ember Den, this part of the playground is ideal for older children.

Edward added: “We’ve worked closely with CAP.CO to ensure that Guildenacre has something for children of all ages to enjoy – whether they’re an adrenaline seeker or prefer a more  exploratory approach. 

“For those who are looking for a heart-pumping experience, there’s an adrenaline-fuelled zip line, several impressive slides to race down, a rope ladder and climbing walls to scale, tunnels and balance beams to conquer.

“But if you’re looking for more of an explorative time, there are talking tubes to discover, wooden walkways to traverse, two-storey lookout spots and a stargazing deck to scour the skies.”

A wood-themed design has been chosen for Guildenacre to complement and blend into the surroundings whilst also immersing visitors into nature.

The setting features a den-building zone for children to build their own hideouts and families can also enjoy completing a themed trail sheet using the stamp stations dotted around. 

All four play areas are linked with bark pathways and amenities include a refreshment kiosk, places to rest and refuel, and toilets.

Alternatively, visitors can head to the updated Grade II listed Wades Barn and its adjacent single storey brick range housing a kitchen serving refreshments, which will be run by  Suffolk deli group The Black Dog Deli, toilets and a retail space.

A new car park is also available and is free to use for Guildenacre visitors and walkers.

Guildenacre will be open for weekends from June 27 and then daily for the summer holidays from Saturday, July 18, until Monday, August 31,  before returning to its weekend opening.

Following the recent announcement that the government will be introducing a temporary reduced rate of VAT on tickets to certain attractions, Guildenacre will be passing this saving  onto its visitors and has reduced its ticket prices for the summer.

Until Monday, August 31, tickets to Guildenacre when booked online in advance are £11.50 for children aged five and over, £8 for adults and £6 for children aged three and over. Children under three go free.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on the day and these are £13 for children aged five and over, £9.50 for adults and £7.50 for children aged three and over until the end of  August. Children under three go free. Tickets for seasonal events will be at a different price. 

For further information and to sign up to the newsletter to receive updates on Guildenacre visit www.guildenacre.co.uk